THE Melbourne Demons will play premiership matches in the NT until 2016. Source: News Limited

THE Melbourne Demons will play premiership matches in the NT until 2016.

The new deal, worth $2 million, will see the club play one match in Darwin and one in Alice Springs for the next two AFL seasons.

It comes at the completion of the existing agreement that has seen Melbourne play in the Northern Territory for the past five years, including this Saturday’s Round 16 clash against Fremantle at TIO Stadium in Darwin.

It will be the third time Melbourne has visited the NT in 2014 after tackling Geelong (NAB Cup) and Port Adelaide (Round 10) in Alice Springs.

Melbourne CEO Peter Jackson said the partnership with the NT is extremely beneficial for the club.

“We were honoured to be part of the first game in Alice Springs back in May, and this two-year renewal will ensure our club has a strong footprint in Northern Australia,” he said.

“Melbourne Football Club has had a long association with the Northern Territory, through champion players such as Aaron Davey, and now Dom Barry, who made his AFL debut last round.

“Melbourne also has NT links via its partnership with the University of Melbourne’s Indigenous Eye Health Unit, which is working on public health campaigns to eliminate trachoma eye disease in Central Australia and remote Indigenous communities.”